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November 1, 2021 |
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Newsletter for the
Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 22,
Issue 1163
We acknowledge and pay our
respects to the Traditional Custodians of
Pittwater, as well as our indigenous readers
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SIRA SPECIAL
Scotland Island
Residents' Association was founded in 1955 as the
Scotland Island Progress Association, before
judiciously abandoning 'progress' in the mid-1970s.
Over the intervening 66 years, SIRA has been
islanders' representative body, lobbying first
Warrangah Shire, then Pittwater and now Northern
Beaches Council. What's more, the Association has
since its inception set up a fire brigade, managed an
emergency water system, community vehicle and
community hall, as well as organising numerous
festivals and countless other projects.
As we approach SIRA's
AGM, this edition of the PON is dedicated to the many
islanders who, over the last seven decades, dedicated
time and energy to SIRA. I don't suppose any of them
pleased everyone all of the time. But they sacrificed
time, energy, and sometimes popularity, doing what
they they thought best for the island. For that they
deserve our respect, and we salute them.
Contents
A Year in SIRASIRA's Annual Report, 2020-21Roy Baker
'Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in'. Author uncertain
‘This has been a very difficult year’. With these words, SIRA President Colin Haskell opens the SIRA annual report for 2020-21. I doubt whether anyone trying to keep island community life afloat during this global pandemic would disagree. Numerous events have been planned, only to be cancelled or postponed. Rather than meet face to face, meetings have gone online, with all the technical and interpersonal difficulties that can engender. It is axiomatic that community flourishes through constant interplay, and when interactions become sporadic we start to rely on reserves of goodwill.
Fortunately a solution has been found: a computer-controlled twin pump system above Bells, housed in an acoustic box to reduce noise. As a result, water pressure has been improved throughout the island. For instance, a house at the top of the island might expect six times the water for the same length of booking, while one further down might get double the water it would previously. In the words of Brian Rodgers, coordinator of SIRA’s Emergency Water Group, ‘2021 has seen the most significant upgrade to the water system in years’. Further improvements to the booking system are planned. The annual report contains a timely reminder that the water line is not intended as the primary water supply for the island. It is an emergency back-up, and it’s important that we collect rainwater from our roofs wherever we can. That said, statistics compiled by Boyd Attewell suggest that water purchasing isn’t always a matter of choice. 2018, an exceptionally dry year, was accompanied by a spike in water buying. More water has been bought in 2021 than in 2016 or 2017, despite this being a wetter year. But the pandemic has meant more working from home. In terms of SIRA achievements, special mention must also go to the Recreation Club, under the dynamic leadership of Robyn Iredale. It’s amazing how, among lockdowns, SIRA has managed to take over the running of the old kindy, create a successful café, provide residents with free dancing and table-tennis sessions, and lay on a major arts festival. And that’s all while (more or less) observing social distancing rules.
Meanwhile, regular SIRA activities have continued. Most of SIRA’s work is done by sub-committees, and a lot of their time is taken up with lobbying council on the mundane but important issues that challenge island life. For instance, Sharon Kinnison leads the Roads, Drainage and Environment group, which has advocated (with considerable success) for better roads: one only has to admire the pristine stretches of asphalt on parts of Richard Road. As a result of work by the Water and Wastewater group, led by Fabienne d’Hautefeuille, NSW minister Melinda Pavey has asked that Sydney Water study a feasibility study into providing the island with sewerage. Alec Beckett, leader of the Wharves group, is starting to see the fruit of his labour, with the refurbishment and forthcoming extension of the wharves. And Marie Minslow’s focus has ranged from the ethereal to the sublunary. Thus as Vision leader she has tried to articulate values that unite us all, while in Waste Management she has sought solutions to the perennial problem of getting junk off the island. Thanks go to these people, the members of the committees they lead, and the other groups and sub-committees not mentioned. It goes without saying that we owe a debt of gratitude to the community heavyweights who power SIRA along: Colin Haskell as president, Sharon Kinnison as vice president, treasurer Tim Turpin and secretary Juliet Wills. But I want to put in a word for the many who make contributions that can go unnoticed, yet also help grease the wheels of community. I’m thinking of those who take on such tasks as designing and distributing posters, running the website, monitoring Facebook, taking photos, making the tea, baking cakes, washing up afterwards, calming frayed tempers and putting away the chairs. There are unsung heroes in the community who aren’t always part of the SIRA committee, and they too deserve praise. To end, I think it’s worth stating a few points about SIRA which, though obvious, are often overlooked. First, SIRA will never please everyone. However much we share a broad vision for the island, we differ in our priorities and particularities. Secondly, we have to trust the people we elect at the SIRA AGM. I don’t think we can insist that they endlessly consult the community on every little matter. When we choose our leaders we have some sense of what they stand for, and if we aren’t prepared to put up our hand for a position on the committee then sometimes we have to let those who do get on with the job.  Thirdly, SIRA
is primarily a pressure group, not an authority. SIRA can
lobby for change, but rarely do they have the means or
power to implement it. If you are unhappy with the rules,
fees and infrastructure that govern island life then don’t
blame SIRA committee members: the chances are that the
irritants of island life affect them too. And finally, these are volunteers who give up their time and energy when they have other things to do. They don’t always get it right, but at least they are trying. For that we owe them a lot.
The full annual report will be publicly available shortly.  SIRA
AGM and Barbecue
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| Former islander Anita Bennett with part of a collection of island photos, displayed at the commemoration of the island's bicentenary, 2010 |
SIRA is endeavouring to compile a collection of photographs of historical significance to Scotland Island. The goal is to have both a digitised and a physical collection, with the digitised images available for public browsing, while the physical collection will be kept securely in the Recreation Centre. The plan is for parts of the physical collection to be periodically or even permanently on public display.
The last time this exercise was undertaken was in 2010. At that point experienced curator Shar Jones, together with Jenny Cullen, helped compile a considerable collection, much of which was displayed as part of the festival that marked the bicentenary of the 1810 grant of Scotland Island to Andrew Thompson. After the exhibition was dismantled the collection of photos became somewhat dispersed around the island.
SIRA's hope is to recreate and even expand upon the 2010 collection. Several long-term residents, including Tom Gibbs, Dick & Margaret Hughes and June Lahm have already been most generous in providing photos in their possession. Much of the 2010 collection has been reassembled, but it is believed that some photos may still be missing.
If you have any photos that formed part of the 2010 collection, or know of their whereabouts, please let me know.
Alternatively, if you have any photos relating to Scotland Island that you think are of particular significance to the island's story and would be of interest to the general community, I would appreciate hearing from you.
I can be reached by email on editor@scotlandisland.org.au.
Thanks
Roy Baker
Fires on Cargo Beach
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| The remains of a fire on Cargo Beach. On occasion they are left burning and unattended overnight. |
There is a long history of fires on the beach next to Cargo Wharf on the western side of Scotland Island. These have even been lit during total fire bans. Often fires have been left unattended overnight, along with discarded beer bottles and the like.
There is perhaps a perception that fires are permitted on public beaches. They are not. The Rural Fires Act makes it an offence, without lawful authority, to set a fire not only on someone else's private land, but also on land that belongs to a public authority or the Crown. In other words, you are committing a criminal offence if you light an unauthorised fire on Cargo Beach, regardless of where the fire is situated in relation to the high water line. Breaches of the Act can attract fines of up to $132,000 and 5 years' imprisonment.
Besides the legality of these fires, they pose a real danger to the island, given the overhanging Casuarinas at Cargo Beach. What's more, the noise, smoke and detritus are a nuisance to local residents. Although it may be tempting to light a fire for the purposes of cooking or socialising, please don't.
Anon.
New Scotland Island Book Club
Would you like to be a Daytime Bookworm?
Evening book groups have been thriving for years on Scotland Island. Members share a love of the printed word or audio books, fact or fiction, discussing the work and what they liked or didn’t like. Now, with the Recreation Centre up and running, it occurred to us that it could be the venue for a new group that meets once a month during the day.
There are decisions to be made: which day, 11am start?, ideas on the format, book selection (personal choice or discussion of a single title), will books be available for others to borrow etc?
The plan is to have a limit on numbers so everyone gets a go.
If you are interested in joining, please message us. Your input will be welcomed.
Jane Rich 0421 549 370 or Rosemary Haskell 0410 500 704.
The
Two Catherines: Perspectives on Island History
Scotland Island Community Hall
Saturday 6 November, 2 - 4 pm
Saturday 20 November, 2 - 4 pm
|
 |
| Catherine
Benns (1838 - 1920): an Indigenous midwife and 'Queen of Scotland Island' |
Catherine
Bouffier (1857 - 1940),
after
whom Scotland Island's Catherine Park is
named
|
Scotland Island Recreation Club, under the stewardship of Robyn Iredale, is working towards creating a performance, due to be staged on the island late next year, focusing on the lives of Catherine Benns and Catherine Bouffier. Both women's lives helped create the Scotland Island we know today, and are remembered in the name of the café held regularly in Catherine Park.
To kick-start the process, SIRA is presenting two talks on island and Pittwater history. Besides teaching offshore residents about local history, these will generate ideas that will help the playwright accurately reflect the past and character of Scotland Island. These events will include plenty of time for discussion, and will be offshore residents' first opportunity to shape and participate in this exciting exercise in community co-creativity.
The first talk will focus on the area's Indigenous history. Guests will include: Neil Evers, Chair of the Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater, and local historians Paul Griffiths and Craig Burton. Neil is the grandson of Catherine Benns' nephew.
The second talk will examine the island's European history, including how it came to be settled and subdivided. It will include contributions from islander and historian Craig Burton, plus Vivianne Byrnes, great-granddaughter of Catherine Bouffier.
Afternoon tea will be served at both events.
REGISTRATION
In order to be COVID-compliant, registration for these events is essential. Participants must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt). Please bring a mask and a phone to check in.
To register for the 6 November event, click here.
To register for the 20 November event, click here.
Table Tennis
Scotland Island Community Hall
Most Saturdays, 3 - 5 pm
With COVID restrictions
lifting, table tennis sessions have recommenced. Groups
meet most Saturdays.
Anyone over 12 is welcome,
provided that those over 16 are fully vaccinated (unless
exempt). Please bring a mask to wear indoors, although
it may be removed during physical exercise.
If you would like to join a
WhatsApp group for up-to-date information on sessions,
please email editor@scotlandisland.org.au.
Caring for Catherine Park
Sunday 7 November, 9.30 - 12 noon
Everyone is welcome to come
and help restore and regenerate habitat for our local
fauna.
Bring gloves, hat and
drink. Enjoy gentle exercise, meet someone new, ask
questions of enthusiastic gardeners and take home a
native plant.
A perfect outing for the
whole family.
Come any time, 9.30 - 12.00 to help put in baby plants.
Covid-safe protocol will be followed, including
check-in, 1.5m distancing and sanitizing.
Cheers, Sharon Kinnison
Come any time, 9.30 - 12.00 to help put in baby plants.
Location: near emergency
access gate to Catherine Park.
Cheers, Sharon Kinnison
Scotland Island Café
Sunday 14 November, 10 - 1 pm (extended for SIRA's AGM)
Sunday 28 November, 10 - 12 noon
Kids and double
vaxxed adults are welcome!
The 28 November café will
include stalls selling goods made by islanders. Get in
early and do some Christmas shopping of hand-crafted
gifts!
Further makers' stalls
will also be at our 5 and 12 December island cafés.
Expressive Landscape Painting Workshop
Scotland Island Recreation Centre
Friday 19 November, 5 - 8 pm
Bird
Prints Art Workshop
Scotland Island Recreation Centre
Saturday 20 November, 10 - 12 noon
Scotland
Island Fire Brigade: Training
Sunday 21 November, 9 - 12 noon
Please register your attendance using the SIRFB website.
COVID protocols will be observed, including the wearing of masks indoors.
International
Folk Dancing
Scotland Island Community Hall
Saturday 27 November, 7 - 9 pm
Christmas party: please bring a plate and a bottle to share
NB:COVID protocols apply:
- everyone aged 16 or older must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt)
- Please bring a mask.
Book
Launch: 'Water Access Only'
Scotland Island Recreation Centre, Sunday 5 December
Young
Musicians' Concert
Scotland Island Community Hall
Sunday 5 December, 2- 4 pm
Family and friends are
invited to enjoy music provided by local young and
young-at-heart performers.
Come and watch your
neighbours, and the children of your neighbours, show
what they can do.
Please bring a plate
to share.
Missed out on a previous newsletter?
Past newsletters,
beginning May 2000, can be found and read at https://ymlp.com/archive_gesgjgm.php.
To Contribute
If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, please send an e-mail to the editor (editor@scotlandisland.org.au).Subscription Information
To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup.Follow the PON
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The Online Local Contacts Guide
Click HERE to load
Pittwater Offshore Photo Gallery
Updated
June 2021
Festival of Making,
April 2021
The
views
expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the
views of the Scotland Island Residents Association
(SIRA), or the Western Pittwater Community
Association (WPCA)
